# William H. Seward

> American lawyer and politician (1801-1872)

**Wikidata**: [Q297308](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297308)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Seward)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-h-seward

## Summary
William H. Seward was an American lawyer and politician (1801–1872) who served as the 17th U.S. Secretary of State (1861–1869) and later as a U.S. Senator from New York (1877–1881). He is best known for negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, which expanded U.S. territory significantly.

## Biography
- Born: May 16, 1801, in New York, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Union College (1819–1822)
- Known for: Negotiating the Alaska Purchase (1867) and serving as Secretary of State
- Employer(s): Union College (educator), U.S. Department of State (Secretary), U.S. Senate (Senator)
- Field(s): Law, politics, diplomacy

## Contributions
- **Alaska Purchase (1867)**: Negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, doubling U.S. territory and securing a strategic Arctic region.
- **Secretary of State (1861–1869)**: Led U.S. foreign policy during the Civil War and Reconstruction era, overseeing diplomatic relations and international affairs.
- **U.S. Senator (1877–1881)**: Served in the U.S. Senate, advocating for civil rights and progressive policies.

## FAQs
**What was William H. Seward's most significant achievement?**
Seward's most significant achievement was negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, which expanded U.S. territory and secured a strategic Arctic region.

**Where did William H. Seward work?**
Seward worked as an educator at Union College, served as U.S. Secretary of State, and later as a U.S. Senator from New York.

**What role did Seward play in U.S. foreign policy?**
As Secretary of State, Seward oversaw U.S. diplomacy during the Civil War and Reconstruction, shaping key international relations.

**What was Seward's educational background?**
Seward attended Union College, where he studied before pursuing a career in law and politics.

## Why They Matter
William H. Seward's purchase of Alaska in 1867 was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, expanding the nation's territory and securing valuable resources. His leadership as Secretary of State during the Civil War and Reconstruction era influenced U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy. Seward's advocacy for civil rights and progressive policies in the Senate further solidified his legacy as a key figure in American politics.

## Notable For
- **Negotiated the Alaska Purchase (1867)**, doubling U.S. territory
- **Served as U.S. Secretary of State (1861–1869)**, overseeing key diplomatic relations
- **Advocated for civil rights and progressive policies** as a U.S. Senator (1877–1881)
- **Educator at Union College**, shaping young minds before entering public service

## Body
### Early Life and Education
William H. Seward was born on May 16, 1801, in New York, United States. He attended Union College, where he studied before pursuing a career in law and politics.

### Career in Law and Politics
Seward began his career as an educator at Union College before entering public service. He later served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, overseeing key diplomatic relations during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.

### Alaska Purchase and Diplomatic Achievements
In 1867, Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, which significantly expanded U.S. territory and secured a strategic Arctic region. This acquisition is considered one of his most significant achievements.

### Later Political Career
After serving as Secretary of State, Seward was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York, where he advocated for civil rights and progressive policies. His tenure in the Senate further solidified his legacy as a key figure in American politics.

### Legacy and Influence
William H. Seward's contributions to U.S. foreign policy, territorial expansion, and political advocacy have left a lasting impact on American history. His leadership during critical periods and his advocacy for progressive policies continue to be studied and remembered.

## References

1. [Source](https://archive.org/details/memorialencyclop03fitc/page/333/mode/1up)
2. Find a Grave
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
5. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
6. Library of the World's Best Literature
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. [William Henry Seward Papers](https://rbscp.lib.rochester.edu/william-henry-seward-papers)
11. [Source](https://archives.nypl.org/mss/3729)
12. National Register of Historic Places
13. SNAC
14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
15. BnF authorities
16. GeneaStar
17. Croatian Encyclopedia
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index15.html)
20. Golden